GOODYEAR, Ariz. — His nickname is “Lonnie Baseball,” and for a spell last year, he lived up to the moniker. For the first three months of the season, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall was one of the majors’ hottest hitters, ranking third in the American League with a .332 batting average from March 31-July 8. He Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — First baseman Carlos Santana and manager Terry Francona bonded this offseason. Both were part of a traveling group from Major League Baseball that played in the Japan Series against the Japanese national team, and Francona said it improved their personal relationship. “I thought it was really good,” he said. “Part of it Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Gavin Floyd was unlucky times two. The right-hander made it all the way back from dreaded Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and was pitching well last year for the Atlanta Braves when disaster struck again. In his ninth start, June 19 at Washington, Floyd’s promising comeback season ended when his Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Today is a big day for the Indians and an even bigger one for their fans. Cleveland opens exhibition play at 3:05 p.m., taking on the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Manager Terry Francona thinks his team is ready to start playing games — even if they don’t count. “The timetable is Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Newly crowned All-Star Jason Kipnis was on top of the world after the 2013 season. Then 2014 rolled around. With pretty much everyone in baseball expecting Kipnis to take the next step to stardom, the 28-year-old second baseman tripped and fell, producing a dismal season after signing a six-year, $52.5 million contract Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A new round of Indians pitchers got the opportunity to face hitters for the first time Sunday, and one of them was somebody Cleveland fans know well — defending American League Cy Young award winner, Corey Kluber. “It’s hard to read too much into what the hitters are doing because it’s their Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A number of respected baseball writers are picking the Indians to win the Central Division. I won’t be one of them. Then again, I’m not so sure “respected” would be an adjective many of the readers — or anyone else, for that matter — would use to describe me. But, whatever. As Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Nick Swisher isn’t the only Indians veteran with something to prove. Center fielder Michael Bourn, who joined Swisher as free agent acquisitions in 2013, wants to show Cleveland what he’s like at 100 percent. Like Swisher, Bourn signed a big-money contract — four years, $48 million. And like Swisher, he’s given the Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Advanced baseball metrics say left fielder Michael Brantley is a below-average defensive player. The Indians beg to differ. “For the life of me, I can’t understand it,” manager Terry Francona said. “That’s something that perplexes me to no end, because he is one of the better left fielders in the game. I Read More…

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — No one could ever accuse Yan Gomes of taking his defense to the plate. Cleveland’s catcher got off to a miserable start last year behind the plate, committing nine errors within the first 28 games. His fielding eventually improved, and his bat never buckled, providing the Indians with arguably the American League’s Read More…